Land deal with city of Austin on hold over environmental worry

Since September the city of Cedar Park has been working to purchase a 215-acre parcel of land from the city of Austin, but no deal has been made.

The Lime Creek Quarry property straddles Williamson and Travis counties at 15700 Anderson Mill Road in Cedar Park. Cedar Park leaders say the area is important for economic development, but Austin City Council delayed approving the property's $4.1 million sale during meetings in September, October and November.

"The long-term plan is to have development that's compatible with growth that has happened in the region," Cedar Park City Manager Brenda Eivens said during an Oct. 21 Austin City Council meeting.

During a council meeting in September, representatives from the property's tenant, Ranger Excavating, offered Austin $5 million for the land. Following Austin City Council discussions about alternative buyers in October, Cedar Park Mayor Matt Powell told Austin City Council on Nov. 6 that Ranger Excavating is working with the city and no longer wants to buy the land from the city of Austin.

In November, Austin City Council member Laura Morrison asked how or if Austin's environmental regulations for the land differ from Cedar Park's.

"I understand that ... if we were interested in working with you to put limits on the tract as a condition of sale, that it could well impact the price," she said.

Austin City Council directed staff to continue negotiating a deal with Cedar Park but to also research the cities' varying environmental regulations and offer recommendations at a future meeting.

"I don't know of another single incidence where we sold a piece of property that's in somebody else's jurisdiction and then tried to impose our limitations on that property," said Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who opposed the regulations.

Powell said the land is already subject to U.S. Fish and Wildlife regulations, the Endangered Species Act and water runoff rules set by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

"The site has been subject to blasting and digging since the '30s and looks like the surface of the moon today," Powell said. "But it's got some real potential to do some beautiful things with its proximity to preserve land."